Duncan Ferguson names the one signing that can guarantee Everton a European challenge

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Everton fans are hoping for a much better season in 2025/26.

The Toffees have managed to stay up in the Premier League, with David Moyes doing a terrific job since he replaced Sean Dyche.

Everton were in real trouble under the previous manager.

But the Toffees are now able to enjoy a comfortable end to the season, and planning can now begin for 2025/26.

The Friedkin Group will be busy this summer, with a lot of players out of contract and some unlikely to turn their loan moves permanent.

It will be exciting to see what Everton do in the transfer market – but club legend Duncan Ferguson has suggested there is one signing the club need to make in particular to challenge for European football.

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Duncan Ferguson implores Everton to land top striker

Everton should be looking to finish in the top half next season, in the first term at Bramley-Moore Dock under the new owners.

But fans will be quietly hoping that this great club can potentially fight for European football.

That will be difficult, given how many other clubs have ambitions of that. But for Duncan Ferguson, it is achievable if a top striker is brought in.

He said on Sky Sports before yesterday’s Merseyside Derby (via Sky Sports): “I think next season Everton can finish in the top half comfortably. Of course, they need to spend money on a striker.

“I think if they do that… their defensive record is very good, they don’t conceded goals, they don’t lose games, they’ve only lost nine games this season (now 10). That’s the same as Man City Fulham and Newcastle.

“But they don’t score goals. Everton don’t score enough goals just now. I think if they go in the market this summer to get a top striker, I think they can definitely be challenging the European places.”

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Everton need a clinical number nine

Beto has made big strides since David Moyes came in.

But we have seen in recent weeks that he still lacks consistency, and is not the greatest finisher when in one-vs-one situations.

If Everton are to battle for European football, then signing a real killer in front of goal is paramount.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
10	B’mouthBournemouth	29	12	8	9	48	36	12	44
11	BrentfordBrentford	29	12	5	12	50	45	5	41
12	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	28	10	9	9	36	33	3	39
13	Man UtdManchester United	30	10	7	13	37	41	-4	37
14	TottenhamTottenham	29	10	4	15	55	43	12	34
15	EvertonEverton	29	7	13	9	32	36	-4	34
16	West HamWest Ham	30	9	7	14	33	50	-17	34
17	WolvesWolves	30	8	5	17	41	58	-17	29
18	IpswichIpswich	29	3	8	18	28	62	-34	17
19	LeicesterLeicester	29	4	5	20	25	65	-40	17
20	SouthamptonSouthampton	29	2	3	24	21	70	-49	9

It’s looking like Armando Broja could return to Chelsea this summer after his loan spell.

And Dominic Calvert-Lewin could move on when his contract expires.

That would leave just Beto and Chermiti, so Moyes 100% needs to get someone else in – preferably someone who’s proven themselves in a top five league in Europe.

Everton have been linked with Nick Woltemade recently, and perhaps Moyes may feel the German is the answer after scoring 12 league goals so far this term for Stuttgart.